September 18, 2017

This week I've been reading about the last dispensation in the Book of Mormon and its degeneration into apostacy. What a sad topic. So I'll try sharing my happier thoughts on the subject: 4 Nephi 1:16-17 is a list of "do nots" that make up Zion, but in reality, it sounds like the best place to live. From old English to Hermana Sleight's personal translation, it says there is no jealousy, no fighting, no wild parties(Hna F was sad to hear that one), no vulgarity, no lying, no killing, no lust, no stealing. I would add a sign over the door that says "Be one. Be happy." I've always taken those lists for granted. In the same study, I read the list in the Family: A Proclamation to the World, and I thought it matched pretty well. When we build our families upon gospel principles, the fruit is a Zion-like home. "faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreation activities".

Stories!

We were driving around rounding up investigators for church when we saw Angel Escamilla who we had to drop because he's an alcoholic. We made a funny joke about putting him on the bike rack and taking him to church. We stopped by Martin's and he said he'd come late. We called Victor and he said he'd come. Neither of them did. Agency, am I right?

Kevin's baptism. I was privileged enough to knock on his door a few days before being transferred away. He's basically a stranger, but I got a hand in his salvation. What a blessing. Oh, yeah, and did I mention his other missionaries are my former companions Hermana Arenas and Hermana Pfeil?? I love them all!!!

September 11, 2017

Thanks for your love, prayers, and support! This area and I really need it.

Insight from this morning: I have seen all over the scriptures that the difference between sin and righteousness is black and white, and the chasm between the righteous and the wicked is growing ever wider. Thinking of earthquakes and Lehi's dream, the river is growing ever wider and deeper. It is more difficult to repent and be baptized now than it ever has been, and those who fall away fall harder than ever before. I was reading 3 Nephi 28 and the footnotes in Matthew 10 and John 7:43 when I had this insight. But what I love most is that our job is to declare the truth clearly and without apology. (PMG 211)

This week Luisa got baptized, and since neither of her parents on members, she's technically a convert, but since she's been going to primary, we didn't really see it as our baptism either. As a result, we didn't ask anyone to preside and Bishop couldn't even make it. :/ We also left the baptism record in the car and they didn't use her second last name. Bishop said we might have to do it over again, and that was just the cherry on top of a terrible day for me. That night I knelt and asked Heavenly Father what we needed to do. Out of respect for the priesthood, we organized a rebaptism for Saturday even though it was inconvenient for everyone. I hate feeling like an inconvenience. Then Bishop did his research and everything was okay, so she just got confirmed and that was that. Lesson learned: always take everything seriously. I wish I could stop learning this lesson while simultaneously learning that I need to loosen up and laugh more. I'll figure it out though:)

September 5, 2017

On what I hope was the hottest week of my mission, your love support and prayers were definitely appreciated.

Cool insight on forgiveness of sins: Often in the scriptures, our sins are compared to stains on a white robe. The blood that Christ shed for us is metaphorically the infinitely strong stain remover. What I learned as I read 3 Nephi 17:29 is that Christ has done His part by shedding his blood(providing the stain remover), but we are the ones who scrub at the stains (repent) and wash it clean (are cleansed from sin by living the gospel of Jesus Christ). I love that this biblical metaphor demonstrates so well the necessity of living the gospel of Jesus Christ beyond just faith.

Stories! I have no time. I'm so sorry.

Angel went to ARP and we can't provide the kind of help he needs. So sad...

But we found a super awesome goldmine and he's an investigator now! For pictures, see last week's email.